Dr. Carl and Dr. Scott believe that an investment in state-of-the-art technology is an investment in you and your continued oral health. They are both lifelong students and continually stay up to date with emerging trends through continuing education and advanced training. Whenever they identify proven technology that will provide you with a more comfortable and efficient procedure, they invest in that technology.
Please take a moment to browse through the technology we offer, then call our office to arrange an appointment so we can show you how we can improve your experiences by using state-of-the-art technology.
Intraoral Cameras
Using this camera, we can give you a “tour” of your mouth on a TV screen (which is really pretty cool!). This helps us guide you through your diagnosis and treatment options and keeps you at the center of your own treatment plans. As your dentist examines your teeth, he shares real-time images with you on your chairside monitor. Now, instead of us just telling you what's wrong, we can show you the area in great detail so you can understand what the problem is and why we need to treat it. We want you to feel informed every step of the way so that you can make smart choices for your oral health.
Nitrous Oxide
Do you suffer from dental anxiety that prevents you from seeking the essential care you need? Millions of people do, so it's nothing to be embarrassed about. The important thing is finding ways to help you comfortably get the care you need, and nitrous oxide may be the answer for you.
Nitrous oxide, also referred to as inhalation sedation, is an odorless gas that's mixed with oxygen and administered during treatment through a small nasal mask. Relax back and breathe normally, and within moments, you will feel a relaxing, euphoric sensation as the activity around you recedes into the background. You remain fully conscious and can respond to your dental team.
With nitrous, you also enjoy the freedom to drive yourself to and from your own appointment because the effects begin to dissipate as soon as we stop the flow of gas. In the last three to five minutes of treatment, or sooner, you will be switched from the nitrous oxide-oxygen mix to pure oxygen, allowing a return to normal feeling.
Rotary Endodontics
Dr. Carl and Dr. Scott know that no one likes root canal treatment, so they have invested in rotary endodontics that makes the procedure more efficient and comfortable.
Rather than rigid stainless-steel files used in the past to clear away a root canal infection, we have chosen to invest in rotary endodontics, an electrically powered instrument we use to remove root canal infection. The tip of the tool is made of nickel-titanium, which is five times more flexible than steel and can perform the unique movement needed to comfortably reach into the deep spaces of the root canal.
The result is a more efficient and comfortable procedure with reliable outcomes.
VELscope
Oral cancer is the erratic growth of cells that invade and damage surrounding oral tissue. Those most at risk are heavy smokers, heavy drinkers, those who have been exposed to the HPV virus, and men over the age of forty-five. Doctors are detecting these cancers at increasingly alarming rates because of the prevalence of HPV. The success of treatment often depends on early diagnosis.
Unfortunately, by the time your dentist clinically sees it, oral cancer may be in the later stages when the prognosis is poor. That is why routine oral cancer screenings are so vitally important, and at Elgin Family Dental, we have supplemented our visual exams with the aid of a technology called VELscope.
This device emits a particular wavelength of blue light that excites natural fluorescent molecules in the soft tissues of the mouth. Healthy tissue fluoresces differently from tissues affected by damage or disease. VELscope helps us detect a wide array of abnormalities before we would be able to identify them in a visual exam.
Digital X-Rays
The days of trying to look at a small dental x-ray are over. A large chairside monitor makes it possible to view digitally enhanced x-rays that make it easier to see problems not visible clinically. Digital x-rays are faster than conventional x-rays. They help us accurately diagnose your oral health needs, with less radiation exposure! With no chemical processing needed, digital technology also helps us do our part to keep the environment safe.